D E S I D E R A T A [ g.d ] ON HOLD

03

I am adding a new chapter because this story got me hooked up and I am enjoying writing it! I usually don't like when my original characters are played by famous people but I was thinking that Scott Eastwood would be perfect Clive. Anyway, stop my rants and enjoy the new chapter! A big virtual hug goes to Mae and Jolene for being such amazing support :)

Enjoy the story!

**

George's phone vibrated for a third time since this morning. He pulled his face away from his hands and cast a glance on the screen where it showed that he had a new text from his band mate. George just sighed and ran a hand over his face and then looked back at the messy bed where he woke up just few hours ago.

Alone.

Because she left.

Yet something, a small bit of his brain hoped that she would be there when he wakes up, her sad, blue eyes staring at him, shy and excited at the same time. The same way she looked at m last night.

She was different. The last night was different because it didn't felt like a one night stand - easy sex and she didn't look like an easy girl either. Even if he was drunk, he was sober enough to feel her craving for his touch, for affection, for attention. He was sober enough to hear her silent 'thankyou' before she turned away from him and fell asleep.

His phone vibrated again and he sighed, grabbing it from the table, knowing that his friends are probably looking out for him. They had some press stuff to do, some people to see and a gig to play later tonight and then going back on the road, leaving Portland behind and travelling to Seattle. He loved every bit of his life as a musician but sometimes he was just tired and the bags under his eyes were the proof for it.

Grabbing his shirt that was across the room, he brushed his hair away from his face and looked around for his wallet and shoes. Finding the two, George furrowed his eyebrows, not being sure whether he had jacket with him last night or not. He shrugged the thought away before leaving the trashy motel and taking a cab to the coffee shop where his band mates were waiting on him.

As soon as he entered the cosy shop, his eyes caught the top of Matty's messy hair and he made his way to the small cubicle. They all looked tired but the excitement about the tonight's show was evident on their faces. It was yet another sold out show but Portland was always something special for them. Now, George feared that he might have another reason to remember this city, after the last night.

"Hello," George muttered groggily, plopping his tall figure next to Adam and taking a sip of coffee from Ross' cup. The bearded guy just raised an eyebrow at him and continued to type on his phone.

Matty smirked at him, his cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, "What happened to you?"

"I need a smoke," George replied, grabbing a cigarette from Matty's pack and for a second ignoring his best mate. "I went out last night," he exhaled the smoke after taking a long and needed drag. "Didn't go back alone, though." The corner of George's mouth turned upward.

The round of ooohs escaped his mates' mouths and Matty leaned closer to the tallest guy in the group. "You should've brought me with you," Matty grinned at George, "maybe she had some friend for me.... or friends."

Ross threw a crumbled napkin at Matty, "You are disgusting, Healy! Not everyone thinks you are good wingman or womanizer."

Two guys started bickering playfully, Adam chiming in ever so often. George just pushed his glasses from top of his head over his eyes and slid a bit lower in his seat, stretching his long legs away from the table. He was tired, hungry, hung over and sleepy but as soon as he closed his eyes his brain didn't let go of the stranger who spent the night with him.

**

Nellie turned another page of the book she was reading and looked up to see where they were. They had been driving to Des Moines for the past hour and they barely spoke few words. Clive was driving, listening to some radio station with bad music taste and she was reading some random book she picked up in the library. Visiting the town where she grew up was always hard for Nellie, ever since she got married to Clive. She had to avoid the stares, being the bad one in their story. Even if it was the opposite.

Five years ago it happened what happened. Nellie and Clive hooked up at her prom after party at Marcia's house although Nellie was too drunk to remember. She only remembered moments shortly before she walked into kitchen and joined Marcia, her now ex-boyfriend and Clive whom she despised ever since she met him.

Albeit being underage, she got drunk and all she knew about the rest of the night were the stories of other people who attended the same party. They told her that Clive took her upstairs and that he got back sometimes later, bragging about taking her virginity.

After that night everything went downhill for Nellie.

Five weeks later she found out she got pregnant and tried to confide in her mother but instead of getting consolation, her mother had disappointment written all over her face. She asked who was the father and then made Nellie go to church to pray for repentance. Her father didn't act any different and agreed with whatever her mother said. The very same day he slapped her across the face and sent her to her room while they decided what will happen next.

In matter of five days, both Clive's and Nellie's parents decided that it would be best for the reputation of their families for them to get married. Rumours were spreading too fast and Des Moines was a small town, where gossip could ruin your entire life. Nellie didn't like Clive; he was just a mere stranger to her, five years older and another person who blamed her for everything.

"I will never forgive you this!" Clive spat at Nellie as they walked in their room, the same night when they were pronounced as husband and wife. "You think you can whore around and then say that the child is mine. I swear, I will make your life to hell - you ruined my plans for the future and I will ruin yours."

And he did. For the past five years Nellie's life was a living hell. He abused her on every single way, rarely hitting her as much as he mentally destroyed her. She had no support, no one to turn to and when she lost the baby, shortly after they moved into their house in Portland, Nellie realised that her life would be all but not a happy one.

When they arrived to Des Moines after three hours of silent ride, Nellie felt the nausea piling up in her stomach. She despised the place she once called her home, despised people and all the things that mattered in their lives. Clive slowly parked in front of the grandiose house that belonged to his parents he turned around to face her.

"Remove that scowl," he muttered, unbuckling his seatbelt, "I don't want any drama." Nellie nodded and stepped out of their car in the same moment as Clive's mother, Renate walked out, running to hug her youngest son.

Nellie approached them cautiously, afraid to make a wrong move and earn a critique on her behaviour at the very start. With a curt smile, she hugged Renate who faked a smile before turning back to Clive. "I am so glad you made it earlier. Your brother is coming tomorrow and Tina is so excited to see you," Renate spoke, ignoring Nellie completely and hooking her arm with Clive. They walked up the cobblestone path, talking about the plans for the party as Nellie desolately followed after them.